Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 May 2021
38. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports put in place for inshore fishers whose capacity to fish is restricted by the different stages of the preparation and construction of offshore renewable energy projects. [26915/21]
View answerMy Department's €240 million European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Programme 2014-2020 is the principal source of public funding for the sustainable development of our fisheries, aquaculture and seafood processing sectors. The Programme is delivered through a range of support schemes. Financial supports are available to our inshore fishing sector for capital investment on board and ashore, for training and for organisation and capacity building within the sector, while State bodies provide a range of services to the inshore fleet including advisory services and stock conservation supports.
Action on climate change is of the utmost importance to Government and offshore renewables can play an important role in that. I understand that the development of offshore renewables may raise some concerns for the Seafood Sector. The National Marine Planning Framework process, coordinated by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has a key role to play in balancing these different demands on our maritime space.
I have not received any specific proposals from representatives of our seafood sector identifying any particular losses incurred in connection with the development of offshore renewables or making any case for financial supports in this connection. In addition, there is no particular provision of the EMFF Regulation that would appear to provide a legal basis for any form of aid in this connection.
